Category: Story

Jodi Desautels Shares Another Double Pinochle Story

6/25/2014

Hi everyone! I have another double pinochle story for you. LOL! As some of you may know, my husband and I play it often. Well, lately, my husband has been very, very lucky at the game!
I would have to look back to know the exact number, however, my husband has been getting double runs AND double aces at the same time quite often lately. It is unbelievable! He has got them more in the past few weeks than both of us together has got them in the past few years.
We play that a win is 1,000 point game. So, in one hand he got over one fourth of the way there! If you add the 150 for the double run, the 100 for the double aces, and the 20 point minimum for the save- - you get a minimum of 270 points for just the one hand.
I wonder if I should have had him buy extra lottery tickets or something! LOL!

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Begging for a Set at Pinochle

2/12/2014

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I have another double pinochle story. LOL! Well, as much as hubby and I like to play, I have quite a few of them. By the time I tell all my double pinochle stories, you may all be expert players. LOL!
Hubby and I play that the first one who gets to 1,000 points or sets the opponent three times wins. So, with that knowledge, you would think that one would not want a set. Right? Listen to this.
He had set me and I said, "That is set number two."
"That better be a set for each of us," hubby bellered back.
"No," I tried to clarify. "It is two sets."
"Well, it better be one for both of us," hubby returned. He was quite sure that it should be one for each of us.
So, I laughed. "All right," I said. "If you want a set, I will give you a set. I am more than happy to do it."
"No, I don't want a set. I thought I already had a set. I thought you were trying to get out of a set." he said.
I laughed. "No, it was my second set. I was trying to tell you that. Ha ha ha. This is the first time I ever had anyone beg me for a set before."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you have ever had anyone "beg" you for a set before, I would love to hear your story. And, no, hubby doesn't mind me sharing this story. We both have a great sense of humor. And, we both like to have fun!

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Introducing Bo the Crow and Sharing Some of His Development

2/5/2014

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Hello everyone! I think it is interesting to see how things develop. I thought it would be cool to introduce you to "Bo the Crow" and to tell you his story. So, everyone, this if Bo the Crow; Bo the Crow, this is everyone!
Bo the Crow is a character in my next children's book. He likes to tell silly rhymes. I can't wait for you to see the book. I can't wait to see the book. But, I am not finished yet. We will have to wait. He does have a story though.

Bo the Crow didn't even have the same name when he started. He started off being Joe the Crow, named after my hubby. But, I decided to name him after my hubby's son's nickname.
Anyway, when I first sat down to write the very first day, I wasn't even going to write about a crow. LOL! I did want to write a rhyming story. Yet, the idea of a crow had nothing to do with my original thoughts.
And, I am not a skilled or experienced illustrator, so I cannot just whip up a sketch. (I am working on it and I am learning though!) I really have to work on it, just to get a decent first draft. This black and white sketch is not even my first draft. It was, however, my first draft of the kind of look I was going for.
As you can see, many changes took place between this draft and the final draft at the top of the page. It takes time, at least for me, to develop a character. There were quite a few layers used and some careful nudging and sketching to get the look just right. I love illustrating on the computer, just for that reason. It is easier to erase and "undo" on a computer program, than it is with pencil and paper.
Now, I am happy with Bo the Crow! I hope you are as well! Doesn't he look like he is ready to put on a show? LOL! I have to tell you, this children's book is taking persistence to illustrate. And… I am having a blast!

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I Am Not a Very Good Cheater

1/22/2014

2 Comments

Hello everyone! Today, I am going to reveal a little something about my true nature. I am not a very good cheater.
LOL! Before you get in an uproar wondering why I would be cheating anyway, let me tell you a little story.
Hubby and I like to have fun together. We will often play games, joke, and have some good old fashioned fun. We don't do anything serious. Nobody gets hurt…emotionally or physically. It is all in a kind-hearted nature.
One of the games we play is "double pinochle." It is just the two of us and to make it more interesting we play with a "dummy hand."
Anyway, for those of you who don't know the game, I shared two very good things to have in your hand and their corresponding points. A double run is worth 150 points and double aces are worth 100 points. Both of these are very good things to possess; two of the highest valued things in double pinochle.
Well, as I recall, hubby was ahead of me. He had been getting good hands with good points. I hadn't been getting much of anything. So, when he had to get up to do something, I took the opportunity to hide four aces (one of each suit), so when I dealt, I could make sure I had them. I was trying to give myself double aces, but he came back too fast.
I ended up giving HIM a double run worth 150 points and I didn't even get the double aces!!! I couldn't believe it. When I told him what I did, we both started laughing. Hubby still picks on me about that moment at times! I am one of the only people that I know who can manage to give the other person a better hand while trying to cheat and give myself a better hand. Ugh! LOL!
Like I said, I am not a very good cheater. I think it is because, I don't want to cheat. I feel guilty if I even think about doing it. My heart is not in it. I guess it is true for the positive and the negative things in life… you are better at something when your heart is in it!

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A New Poster and a New Bamboo

7/31/2013

1 Comment

Hi. I hope all is well with you all. Things are going well for me. I have been busy making contacts and working on new writing projects as well as promoting my educational site, DUO Education. I have also been working on creating things.
I created this poster to go on a new friend's blog sidebar. I hope you enjoy it. I would like to thank Ali Dent for connecting and being as passionate about writing and education as I am! Please check out her book, The LITClub, when it comes out! (We may be seeing more of Ali here soon.)
As for me, I treated myself with a new illustration tool this weekend. I now have a Bamboo tablet. If you have one and have any words of wisdom for me, please let me know. I am looking forward to using it.
I am also writing the first draft to my second book featuring Clarinda Cloud. Did you know that Clarinda Cloud has a brother? That's okay. I didn't either until the other day. LOL! Stay tuned to see what happens in this second story.

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Jodi Desautels Shares Another Double Pinochle Story

Begging for a Set at Pinochle

Introducing Bo the Crow and Sharing Some of His Development

I Am Not a Very Good Cheater

A New Poster and a New Bamboo

Jodi Desautels

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Jodi Desautels… bringing you books that are inspirational, educational, and relatable!